WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2011

REGULAR MEETING

6:30 P.M.

1. ROLL CALL. Mrs. Hammond called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mrs. Hammond, Mrs. Sanders, and Mr. Fix were present. No members were absent. Others present were: Bill Vance, Lynda Yartin, Commander Steve Annetts, Chet Hopper, Ed Drobina, Becca Medinger, Joe Henderson, Brenda VanCleave, Brian Sauer, and others.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF February 16, 2011, Regular Meeting. Mr. Fix moved to approve; Mrs. Sanders seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Fix, Mrs. Sanders, and Mrs. Hammond voting “Yes.” Motion passed, 3-0.

3. COMMUNITY COMMENTS: There were no community comments.

4. POLICE:

A. Chief’s Report. Commander Annetts stated the Chief had provided a written report and he would be happy to answer any questions. Mrs. Hammond questioned if the Police Department has received the new safety protocol from Homeland Security as yet. Commander Annetts stated they have been notified of what the change will be, but they have not received official notification of when it will take place.

B. Review and request for motion to approve draft resolution authorizing the Police Department to apply for the 2011 Drug use Prevention Program Grant (Formerly DARE Grant) Mr. Fix inquired if the department felt there was any less chance of being successful in obtaining this grant because the schools have done away with the program. Commander Annetts stated he did not believe that would have an effect and we are working on providing various programs in coordination with the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Fix moved to approve and forward to Council; Mrs. Sanders seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. Hammond, and Mr. Fix voting “Yes.” Motion passed, 3-0.

C. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance amending Section 1082.01 of the City of Pickerington Codified Ordinances to comply with the recent Supreme Court ruling. Mrs. Hammond stated this was in regard to the Concealed Carry law and we needed to make this amendment so that we would comply with the State. Commander Annetts clarified that you cannot discharge a firearm within the City unless you have the permission of the Chief of Police for hunting, etc. He stated, however, if you are in fear for your life and you have a concealed carry weapon permit, you have the right to shoot to protect yourself. Mr. Fix moved to approve and forward to Council; Mrs. Sanders seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Fix, Mrs. Hammond, and Mrs. Sanders voting “Yes.” Motion passed, 3-0.

5. DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

A. Building Regulations Department.

(1) Code Enforcement Report. Mr. Hopper stated he had provided a written report and he would answer any questions. Mr. Hopper stated he had met with the prosecutor in Lancaster regarding the feral cat situation and they were not aware that the charge was an M-4 which does include jail time so they did not automatically give the individual a public defender. He stated they are in the process of doing that and it has been continued so it will be June before we actually go before the judge on this case. Mr. Fix clarified the prosecutor thought this was a minor misdemeanor which does not include jail time so she did not automatically receive a public defender. Mr. Fix stated then because of the prosecutor’s error we need to wait another two months before the case it tried. Mr. Hopper stated he has received the first property registration on vacant property. He stated he had provided the Committee with a copy of the Abandoned Property Registration Form as well as the Abandoned Property Registration Change in Status Notification. Mr. Hopper stated he had also provided a copy of a handout he has been working on to provide residents with information on property maintenance.

B. Service/Parks Department

(1) Recreation Administrator’s Report. Ms Medinger stated she had provided a written report to the Committee and she would be happy to answer any questions. Mr. Fix clarified that as of today we have sold 250 pool passes which is a little less than in the past, however, Ms Medinger felt we should get several more in the next week. Ms Medinger stated the garden plots have been very successful and we have a 35 percent growth over last year. Mrs. Hammond stated she, the City Manager, Mr. Drobina, Ms Medinger, and the Parks & Recreation Board had toured Victory Park and Sycamore Park and a list of suggested improvements had been prepared and would be discussed at the Parks & Recreation Board to prioritize, etc.

(2) Service/Parks Maintenance Report. Mr. Drobina stated he had provided a written report and he would answer any questions. Mr. Drobina stated concrete will be poured at the disc golf course to install two picnic tables this week. Mr. Drobina stated with regard to the list of suggested improvements to both Victory and Sycamore Parks, some of those projects have been started and this list is a work in progress.

(3) Parks Board Representative Report (Mrs. Sanders). Mrs. Sanders stated she had nothing further to report for the Parks Board.

(4) Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a renewal and amendment to the agreement with Rumpke of Ohio, Inc., LLC for residential refuse service. Mrs. Hammond stated as she understood it, this was a one-year continuation of the service that we have right now. Mr. Vance stated that was correct. Mr. Fix moved to approve and forward to Council; Mrs. Sanders seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Hammond, Mrs. Sanders, and Mr. Fix voting “Yes.” Motion passed, 3-0.

C. Engineering Department:

(1) City Engineer’s Report. Ms VanCleave stated Mr. Bachman was out of town this evening, however, he had provided a written report and she would try to answer any questions. Ms VanCleave stated Mr. Bachman was looking for guidance from the Committee regarding some signage requested by residents. Ms VanCleave stated one resident had requested some signage because they have a partially deaf and blind one-year old; however, there is no such sign in the Traffic Control Manual. She stated further the “Slow Children” sign is also not in the Manual. Mrs. Hammond stated she has seen those signs and questioned where they came from and Ms VanCleave stated she understood you could have them made. Ms VanCleave stated these types of signs are not typically considered effective and Mr. Bachman would not recommend them. Mr. Fix questioned what the cost would be to have a sign made and Mr. Drobina stated he felt it would be under $50. Mr. Fix stated he would recommend we put a “Slow Children” sign in because we cannot do something specifically for one resident, but we could put in a generic type sign. Mrs. Hammond and Mrs. Sanders agreed that a sign could be put in.

Ms VanCleave stated the next issue was with regard to parking on Windmiller Drive near Rule 3. She stated the question was posed as to why we could not extend the area and the general thought was we could do that it would just result in putting up more signs. Mrs. Hammond clarified the suggested area for this was to prohibit parking on the north side of Windmiller Drive from Gray Drive to Old Diley Road. Mr. Vance stated he and Mr. Bachman had not been able to speak with the owner of Rule 3 as yet, and Mr. Fix stated he thought the idea was that they would purchase land to put a parking lot in that would take care of his customers. Mr. Fix stated in the short term if we restrict parking on the north side of the street between Old Diley Road and Windmiller we could see how that would impact things, but also work with him to see if he will do something to alleviate the situation. Mr. Fix stated we could then check back in the summer months when they are at their peak to see what is going on. Mrs. Hammond stated that this might be an issue that should be addressed when businesses are being planned so there will be enough parking for the customers as well as the employees. Commander Annetts stated it has also been discussed to paint the curb yellow so vehicles stay back from the entrance and exit because people trying to pull out cannot see around the parked vehicles. Mr. Fix stated then a “No parking here to corner” sign could be installed. Mr. Fix moved to amend the Traffic Control Map to prohibit parking on the north side of Windmiller Drive between Old Diley Road and Gray Drive and to authorize yellow curb painting and “No Parking Here to Corner” signs on either side of the driveway of Rule 3; Mrs. Sanders seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Fix, Mrs. Sanders, and Mrs. Hammond voting “Yes.” Motion passed, 3-0.

(a) Review and discussion regarding Sidewalk Replacement Policy. Ms VanCleave stated Mr. Bachman had not provided an update on this issue for this evening.

(b) Review and discussion regarding bicycle ordinance. Ms VanCleave stated Mr. Bachman had not provided an update on this issue for this evening.

(c) Review and discussion regarding temporary signage alternatives at City intersections. Mr. Vance stated staff has been working to make sure that the illegal promotional temporary signage does not cause additional distractions at these intersections. He stated the City does have some history as far as the non-profit organizations using these intersections to get the word out on events and while it is not exactly safe, we are making it safer by getting the commercial signs out of the way. Mrs. Hammond stated we just need to continue to look at ways we can accommodate the non-profit organizations but keep everyone safe. Mrs. Hammond stated this item can be removed from the agenda.

(d) Review and discussion of parking issues on Windmiller Drive adjacent to Rule 3 and near Violet Elementary School in Melrose Subdivision. Mrs. Hammond stated the parking issue had been dealt with earlier. Ms VanCleave stated a cross walk will be included in the Safe Routes to Schools work that is to be done next year and a flashing yellow light will also be installed. Mrs. Hammond stated this item can be removed from the agenda.

6. CHAIRMAN:

A. Strategic Plan Goals – Update.

(1) Drug Awareness Program. Mr. Fix there will be a drop off day and he was not sure of the date right now. Mrs. Hammond stated she had seen an article in one of the local papers about this as well. Mr. Sauer stated this was also publicized on the City’s web site and in the Mayor’s bulletin. Mr. Fix stated he is continuing to work with the Lancaster group and while the progress is slow, there is progress.

7. OTHER BUSINESS: No other business was brought forward.

8. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Fix moved to adjourn; Mrs. Sanders seconded the motion. Mrs. Hammond, Mr. Fix, and Mrs. Sanders voted "Aye." Motion carried, 3-0. The Public Safety & Community Affairs Committee adjourned at 6:55 P.M., April 20, 2011.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

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Lynda D. Yartin, City Clerk